Corporate News

"Watlow has long complied with North American hazardous location requirements relating to electric process heaters as well as control panels," explains Rich Hartfelder, process heaters product manager. "ATEX Directive compliance is important because the demand for ATEX compliant heaters is increasing in Europe as well as in many non-EU countries that also use ATEX guidelines in addition to, or in place of, North American guidelines."

ATEX is the European Hazardous Location Compliance Directive, derived from the French words, "ATmospheres EXplosibles." The Directive went into effect on July 1, 2003 and covers a large range of equipment used in hazardous areas often found on offshore platforms, in petro-chemical plants, mines, flour mills and other areas where a potentially explosive atmosphere may be present.

Prior to July 1, 2003, most countries within the European Union (EU) had methods for the certification of electrical equipment used in hazardous locations, but regulations differed in the various countries. The ATEX Directive rectified these differences and issued one set of guidelines for all EU members.

Hartfelder added, "Watlow is committed to global standards such as ATEX and will continue to update its product portfolio to meet new and upcoming agency guidelines."